15 Books About Modern Motherhood To Spark Important Conversations With Your Friends & Family

It's spring, which means that Mother's Day is coming. This holiday can be highly emotional for many people for all different reasons, and can also spark important conversations about grief, love, longing, women's reproductive rights, infertility, adoption, and so much more. If you want to use this day as an opportunity to open up these crucial discussions with the people in your own life — mothers and mother-figures, mothers who have lost their children, children who are missing their mothers, those who are struggling to become mothers, or women who are wondering whether motherhood is meant for them — you're going to want to take a look at the 15 books about motherhood below.

All of these novels, short story collections and nonfiction books were released in the last 12 months, and each examines the many facets of motherhood including postpartum depression, adoption and foster care, loss and grief, and the physical act of giving birth. They each dissect the challenges, complexities, and joys of modern motherhood; these are not saccharine tales of perfectly poised, apron-clad women who have dinner on the table at 5 o'clock every night. These books are raw, funny, relatable, dark, hopeful tales that would make the perfect Mother's Day gift, book club read, or introduction to the world of motherhood:

'Look At How Happy I'm Making You' by Polly Rosenwaike

Polly Rosenwaike's short stories center on women who want to be mothers, aren't sure they want to be mothers, or —having recently given birth — are overwhelmed by new motherhood. This one is perfect for book clubs.

'We Live for the We: The Political Power of Black Motherhood' by Dani McClain

'The Risk Of Us' by Rachel Howard

The Risk of Us explores the cost of motherhood through the story of a 40-something woman who adopts a seven-year-old girl and learns that motherhood isn't the dreamy experience she imagined it would be.

'Where Reasons End' by Yiyun Li

Yiyun Li's heartbreaking novel centers on a conversation between a mother and the teenage son she lost to suicide. This is a painful book (one inspired by Li's experience losing her own son) but it's also one that can spark important discussions about grief, mental health, and more.

'And Now We Have Everything: On Motherhood Before I Was Ready' by Meaghan O'Connell

Meaghan O'Connell's memoir is an honest exploration of her experience becoming a mom when she didn't even really feel like an adult yet. It's relatable and funny, and might just make you feel better about how ready (or not) you feel about becoming a mom one day.

'All You Can Ever Know' by Nicole Chung

In her moving memoir, Nicole Chung writes about her experience being raised by a white family in Oregon after being placed for adoption by Korean parents. This book is sure to lead to important conversations about adoption, race, and the meaning of family.

'Things That Helped: On Postpartum Depression' by Jessica Friedmann

In this essay collection, Jessica Friedmann navigates her complex journey through postpartum depression after the birth of her son. This book challenges the idea of motherhood being immediately beautiful and satisfying.